Los Angeles Kings 4, Nashville Predators 1 FINAL

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- After giving up leads in their last two games on the
road trip, the Los Angeles Kings weren't going to let it happen again.

Ziggy Palffy scored two goals and added an assist in the Kings' 4-1 victory
over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.

Luc Robitaille and Jason Holland also scored for the Kings, who are 3-0-0-2
in their last five games.

"We regrouped and played well," Palffy said. "One of the keys for us is
that we have to play consistent. One of things we have to remember is that if
you are working hard on the ice, you are going to get chances."

The Kings continued their domination of the Predators in Nashville,
improving to 8-0-2 in their last 10 meetings there.

"They are no different than any other team we've played," Predators
captain Greg Johnson said. "I don't know if it is a mental block or what, but
we just haven't got it done against them."

Kings goalie Roman Cechmanek left at 11:33 of the first period after
bruising his hip when he collided with the Predators' David Legwand and didn't
return. Cechmanek, who stopped all seven shots he faced, had skated out to the
left circle to stop a play when Legwand collided with him.

"I was just out there trying to stop the puck," Cechmanek said.
"Everything just happened so fast. After the first couple of seconds while I
was on my back on the ice, I was scared. But eventually I started feeling
better."

Cristobal Huet replaced Cechmanek and stopped 29 of 30 shots.

"Huet has played pretty well," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "He came
in and it was a tough situation for him. I believe he responded pretty well. We
put some pretty good rubber on him."

Nashville prevented being shutout for the second time this season by the
Kings when Martin Erat fired a wrist shot from the top of the right circle that
went over Huet's right shoulder.

The Kings struck first when Palffy skated to his left around a crowd in
front of the crease and put the puck in an open net at 8:57 of the first
period.

Robitaille scored the second goal for the Kings at 12:04 of the second
period when Mark Cammalleri shot the puck high in the air. No one could find it
for a few moments, but Robitaille skated in and put the puck in.

The Kings made it a 3-0 game at 13:39 of the second period when Holland
scored his first goal of the season with a wrister from the top of the slot
that went just inside the left post.

Palffy scored an empty net goal with 5 seconds left to make it 4-1.

"One of the weaknesses of this team in the past is that we get in a slump
and stay in one," Johnson said. "We have to snap right out of this and get
some momentum going at home."